The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-13
GRANT IN PEACE.
BIZ GENERAL ADAM BADEAU.
Written for the Indianapolis Journal-Copyriehted
Grant and Arthur.

were in 1871, when he appointed the friend of |
Conkling collector of the port of New York. Ar |
thur was retained in this position during the |
subsequent years of Grants two administrations |
and was always warm and faithful supporter |
OF his chief There was, however. no approach |
to intimacy, personal or POLITICAL between them |
at this time. The collector too far off from |
the President for the idea to occur to either.
In 1880 Arthur went to Chicago fervent ad |
herent to Grant, and was steadfast under Conk- |
hngs lead in the advocacy of a third term.
When Garfield was nominated the vice-presiden-
tai place on the ticket was rendered to him as a
sort OF propitiatory reparation to Conklng. The
nomination for the presidency had itself been
suggested for Conkling by some who were will
ing to support him. though they would not &C
cept Grant; but Conkling declared that he had
gone to the convention TO nominate Grant, and
that rather than receive the prize he pledged
to obtain for another he would cut his light arm
from his body. Arthur, however, stood in diff
ferent relation to Grant, and there was no reason
why he should not accept the nomination
Grant found no fault with the candidate.
though, like everybody else at the time, he had
no idea that Arthur was especially fitted for the
second position in the country: hat there seemed
no probability that his abilities would be espe-
cially tested; and when Grant gave in his adhe
sion to the ticket, he accepted Arthur as willing
~ as he did Garfield. Neither in any way
personally Questionable to him. He at once
treated Arthur with all the consideration due to
candidate for the vice presidency; he had a
certain regard fer official position not unnatural
in one who had held SO many important places
himself. and of late years had passed so much of
bis time with personages of high political conse-
quence.
During the campaign CHANGED to enter Del
monicos cafe one evening with Jesse Grant, and
found the candidate for the vice-presidency sit
ting at one of the tables. 1t was the first time
either of US had met him since his nomination
| and we went up to congratulate him. remem-
| Der that he said to Jesse: 81 wish you would
| tell your father that l went to Chicago to work
| for his nomination. I was a Grant man and
thirdter man to the last; and whatever &C.
Cured there was compensation to me for my
| disappointment" He was doubtless sincere at
| the time; but he felt fully compensated after
ward, and quite forgot his disappointment as
probably any other human being would have
| done in his place.
Arthur was in complete accord with Grant and
l
even took more conspicuous part than Grant
in the struggle. visiting Albany, as is we'll
known, to AID in the re- election CT Conkling, and
mourning the severest criticism Of Garfeld's
supporters The ex-President and the Vice
president did not meet very often in the months
succeeding Garfelde inauguration. but they held
| frequent correspondence not indeed by letter
but by the messages they exchanged through
| impor tant or intimate friends. Their political
relations at this juncture were closer than ever,
and Grant felt warmer regard and higher ad
| miration for his former subordinate after Arthur
became Vice president. than he had before sup
posed he could entertain.
When the assassination of Garfield was made
complete by his death, Grant met Arthur at the
funeral the whilom custom house collector
was now the head of the Nation, and preceded
the ex President in the procession that followed
Garfeld's remains. Almost immediately after
ward they were travelling together, either in the
train returning from the burial at Cleveland. or
on some occasion before Arthur had taken any
step of importance in his new situation GEN
eral Grant told me repeatedly of their converse
tons. He said that Arthur especially
asked his advice and assistance In
the composition of his Cabinet. and it
| was at Grants suggestion tndC Mr. FreIlngnuy-
sen was selected as Secretary of State. General
Grant also strongly urged Governor Morgan for
Secretary of the Treasury, and that nomination
was also made. But Morgan declined the ap-
| pointment, and then Grant suggested the name
of John Jacob Aston was at his house on the
evening of Oct. %, 1881, conversng about the
situation after the family had gone to bed. and
mentioned the return of Mr.. Astor, who had
land week or two before Grant at once said
that Astor would be an excellent man for the
Treasury, especially in the crisis created by
Morean's refusal to serve. and that night he
i sent this dispatch to the President
castor has returned from Europe. ght not
| he accept temporarily
When, day or two afterward. ne told Mr..
Astor of his action, that gentleman was greatly
| surprised, but while expressing his qualification
at General Grants good opinion, he declared
that he had no desire to enter the Cabinet.
The recommendation not taken.
and Mr.. Folger was eventually ap'
pointed Secretary of the Treasury,
a selection which at the time was entirely accept
able to General Grant. although afterward
Folger became so hostile to order General
Grants picture taken down from his room in the
| Treasury. just here it may not be amiss to say
that General Grant also recommended Mr.. AstoI
for the position of minister to England, but
Arthur preferred to retain Mr.. Lowell, who had
been one Of his most caustic critics and out
spoken opponents.
These suggestions were all made at the in
stance and invitation of the President. but after
awhile Mr.. Arthur ceased to defer to General
Grant or to desire his advice He did not refuse
to listen to him. but he seldom followed bis
counsel after the first months Of his administra
| ton. 1t was not unnatural that the man who had
become chief magistrate should think himself
fully capable of all his duties. and prefer, afte,
very short trial, to carry out his own ideas ani
follow his own purposes The change, indeed
was almost inevitable from the follower
suddenly elevated to so dizzy height, and a.
| first willing co be counseled and guided by one
whom he had SO long looked up to chief-te
| the actual potentate distributing Offices
and emoluments and honors, and able t.
grant favors OF refuse them to the yer,